starting a business in bangkok: a film scout's nightmare-turned-dream
so you wanna start a business in bangkok? as an indie film scout who's been dodging tuk-tuks and chasing permits for three years, lemme tell you - it's like filming in monsoon season. unpredictable, messy, and you'll probably lose a few props along the way.
the weather here? imagine walking into a sauna that's been left on for six months. the current humidity feels like someone wrapped you in clingfilm while you sleep. pro tip: bring five shirts to work. minimum. also, neighbors? phuket's just a one-hour flight away if you need a beach day. chiang mai's a short flight north for when the city gets too loud.
starting my location scouting business felt like navigating a maze blindfolded. first shock: rent. central bangkok averages around 35,000 thb/month for a decent office (that's about $1k usd). outside the tourist zones? you can find places for 15,000-20k if you're cool with the occasional stray cat claiming your desk.
"don't even think about shooting at wat arun without bringing 500 baht in small bills for the 'donation' guys. they don't take cards. trust me." - overheard from a dutch director at a bar near silom
permits? oh god. the thai film office has more red tape than a hong kong action scene. for commercial filming, you need:
- location permits
- police clearance
- local authority approvals
- sometimes a 'blessing' from the temple's abbot
seriously. i had to negotiate with a monk to shoot in a quiet alley for three hours. it involved incense and a lot of nodding.
"if you register your business as a sole proprietorship, you'll pay about 15% corporate tax. but if you do a limited company, it's 20% but you can deduct more. also, keep all receipts. thai tax officers have better memories than elephants." - drunk advice from a british accountant at a rooftop bar
safety-wise? bangkok's safer than most major cities, but common sense applies. don't flash your camera gear in khao san road at 2am. the real thieves are the ones who'll quote you double for 'special filming permits' that don't exist.
the creative scene here? wild. you've got film festivals popping up, indie crews shooting on phones, and enough hidden gems to fill ten movie scripts. networking? join the bangkok film network or haunt the coffee shops near soi 55 (thonglor). that's where the real deals happen.
"avoid working with 'fixers' who promise 'everything easy' for extra cash. they'll either vanish with your money or get you arrested. real fixers have business cards and work through agencies." - something a local producer warned me over coffee
cost of living breakdown for your film biz:
| expense | monthly cost (thb) |
|---|---|
| small office rent | 20,000-40,000 |
| permits & paperwork | 5,000-15,000 |
| equipment | variable |
| networking coffee | 2,000-5,000 |
| 'grease money' | 1,000-10,000 |
honestly? bangkok rewards the persistent. the bureaucracy will make you want to quit, then you'll find that hidden temple at sunset and remember why you're here. just keep your receipts and maybe learn some thai phrases beyond 'thank you' and 'beer'.
check out the bangkok subreddit for real talk, or yelp for random business reviews. and whatever you do, don't believe anyone who says 'it's easy'. nothing worth doing ever is.
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